Frequently Asked Hyperhidrosis Questions

Is there a procedure just for my excessive foot sweating?
Plantar hyperhidrosis (excessive foot sweating) typically comes together with primary palmar hyperhidrosis (excessive hand sweating).

Performing thoracic sympathectomy might help plantar hyperhidrosis in less than 50% of the cases. Over the last few years an improved procedure, lumbar sympathectomy is being offered for patients on whom thoracic sympathectomy did not help at all for excessive foot sweating or for those patients that plantar hyperhidrosis is their primary problem. The operation, lumbar sympathectomy, can be done through very small incisions on both sides of the abdomen and it takes about 2 hours to perform. The success rate is about 95% and offers a good viable option for those patients with severe plantar hyperhidrosis (excessive foot sweating).

One of the very first doctors to offer this improved procedure in the U.S is hyperhidrosis expert Dr. Reisfeld in Los Angeles. To learn more visit his page on excessive foot sweating.

What to do with excessive armpit (axillary) sweating?
For those patients whose main problem is excessive armpit sweating (Medically known as Axillary Hyperhidrosis) ETS is not the right solution. For those patients the local procedure known as suction curretage is the best approach. With this procedure scraping or suctioning of the sweat gland in the armpit region should be done as the first approach only if conservative measures such as Drysol or Botox failed. The advantage of the suction curretage over ETS is that the success rate is higher, there are almost no generalized side effects such as compensatory sweating and thermo-regulation problems are not a side effect. The operation is done under general anesthesia, it takes about an hour and it involves two small cuts in each armpit. This procedure is offered by hyperhidrosis expert Dr. Reisfeld in Los Angeles. To learn more please visit his page on excessive armpit sweating.

Why people get palmar hyperhidrosis?
As far as we know now excessive hand sweating or palmar hyperhidrosis is genetically determined. The gene is dominant but the penetration within the same family varies. It is not a psychological problem and it is a totally involuntary action. The possibility of gene manipulation as a treatment modality is still far away from being developed. Hopefully in the future this will enable physicians and researchers to treat this ailment without surgery.

What hope is there for people suffering from hyperhidrosis?
There are several options available for treating this condition. Conservative methods such as lotions, pills, or electric instruments (Iontophoresis machines) do not show good long-term results. Sympathectomy at present is the only known long-term cure for palmar hyperhidrosis.

So far genetic manipulation will be the best option to treat excessive hand sweating. At present it is only a futuristic possibility but as genome project is slowly advancing we hope that in the future a genetic solution will be found.

How long does the ETS procedure last?
Normally the ETS procedure is quite short. Patients usually can leave the same day. Recovery to normal life is attained within a few days.

Is reversal possible for the ETS procedure?
Yes it is depending on the type of procedure done. Read More

Are there non sugical treatements?
Yes there are non surgical treatements available see our links page

Are there side affects to ETS?
Yes. Compensatory sweating is one of the most common side effects to the ETS procedure. In most situations the compensatory sweating is favorable to the original hyperhidrosis.

For more frequently asked questions please go to:
Hyperhidrosis Frequently Asked Questions Page - At The Center For Hyperhidrosis.